ARIZONA — (January 3, 2012) — In advance of Arizona’s upcoming centennial in February, a team of community leaders from both the public and private sectors will officially unveil the results of their united effort to beautify Arizona’s Capitol Mall and Wesley Bolin Plaza on Thursday. Governor Jan Brewer and Senate President Steve Pierce will speak at the press conference scheduled for Thursday, January 5, at 3:00 p.m.

Published: Tuesday, December 27, 2011 5:52 PM CST Shar Porier/Wick Communications

State Sen. Gail Griffin has formally requested an opinion from the Attorney General’s Office on the validity of an action by the Cochise County Board of Supervisors that created the contentious Sunsites Community Park Maintenance District.In a letter dated Dec. 22, Griffin raises the same questions that opponents of the district raised during a Nov. 15 meeting when the supervisors voted two-to-one to approve it.

For the complete story, go to http://www.bensonnews-sun.com/articles/2011/12/27/news/news03.txt

State Sen. Gail Griffin has formally requested an opinion from the Attorney General’s Office on the validity of an action by the Cochise County Board of Supervisors that created the contentious Sunsites Community Park Maintenance District.In a letter dated Dec. 22, Griffin raises the same questions that opponents of the district raised during a Nov. 15 meeting when the supervisors voted two-to-one to approve it.

Individuals should not have to surrender their Second Amendment rights just because they are on a college campus.

Pro-gun politicians are preparing another attempt to pass legislation that would allow students and professors to carry guns onto the campuses of Arizona’s public universities and community colleges.

Lawmakers who this year were rebuffed by Gov. Jan Brewer in their efforts to legalize guns on campuses are determined to get the bill passed in the new session. They have revised the wording of their failed bill, received the powerful political backing of the National Rifle Association, held pre-session meetings with university and law-enforcement officials, and plan to introduce the bill as soon as the session begins Jan. 9.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/azelections/articles/2011/12/20/20111220arizona-guns-campus-push.html#ixzz1i2Nludh3

Individuals should not have to surrender their Second Amendment rights just because they are on a college campus.

Majority Leader to author bill that will put money back into teachers’ paychecks.

Senate President-elect Steve Pierce and Majority Leader Andy Biggs announced today a bill will be offered in the upcoming legislative session ending the recent 53% employee/47% employer contribution rate split. That split went into effect in July, as part of the FY 12 budget. The change plugged a $40 million hole in the budget and reduced employee paychecks.

The bill will return the contribution rate split to 50/50, and increase the paychecks of teachers and other state employees by $20-40. “Last session we made a commitment to Arizonans to deliver a balanced budget. The 53/47 split helped that happen, but many members agreed it was one of the toughest decisions they had to make. Conditions have changed, and I am comfortable now running a bill to repeal 53/47,” says Majority Leader Biggs.

“The truth is, the economic landscape is very different from March, when these budget negotiations were taking place. Because of our fiscal discipline and an improving economy, revenues are coming in at a much higher clip, and we can reverse this contribution rate change,” says President-elect Pierce.

“Republican leadership continues to put a high priority on strengthening education during these difficult times. We held K-12 reductions to about one percent last year. Today’s announcement is another way to honor the hard work of our district and charter school teachers,” says Pierce.

Senate President-elect Steve Pierce and Majority Leader Andy Biggs announced today a bill will be offered in the upcoming legislative session ending the recent 53% employee/47% employer contribution rate split. That split went into effect in July, as part of the FY 12 budget. The change plugged a $40 million hole in the budget and reduced employee paychecks.

http://www.azcentral.com/video/1336856351001

http://www.azpm.org/politics/story/2011/12/15/1830-new-senate-president-weighs-in-on-2012/

Job growth, education reform, infrastructure and budget planning remain top priorities for the Southeast Valley’s legislative delegation going into next year’s session, lawmakers said Friday at an Arizona Republic forum.

More than a dozen legislators from six districts representing primarily Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert and Tempe, spoke about their priorities and goals for 2012. The group included newly elected state Sen. Jerry Lewis, R-Mesa, and Senate Majority Leader Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/2011/12/12/20111212Southeast-Valley-lawmakers-2012-goals.html#ixzz1giOPE5Tj

Job growth, education reform, infrastructure and budget planning remain top priorities for the Southeast Valley’s legislative delegation going into next year’s session, lawmakers said Friday at an Arizona Republic forum.

Tea Party to meet Sat. Dec. 17 in Community Center.

A Tea Party meeting will be held Dec, 17 at Benson Community Center from 10 a.m. to noon. Speakers are Sen. Gail Griffin LD 25 speaking about border issues and Clair Van Steenwyk, candidate for US Senate in 2012.

President-elect Steve Pierce made an appearance on Channel 8’s HORIZON Wednesday night, to talk about the upcoming legislative session.

Tea Party to meet Sat. Dec. 17 in Community Center.

President-elect Steve Pierce made an appearance on Channel 8’s HORIZON Wednesday night, to talk about the upcoming legislative session.

http://tinyurl.com/7h8g9nw

Senate President-elect Steve Pierce sat down with Frank Camacho to talk about the upcoming session.

http://www.azfamily.com/news/politics/politicsunpluggedstevepierce1-135033048.html http://www.azfamily.com/news/politics/politicsunpluggedstevepierce2-135033273.html